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In the wake of a challenging growing season, farmers are gearing up for this year’s drilling campaign. With last year’s wet weather still fresh in their minds, three farmers share their plans for the upcoming season.

Mike Porter, a farmer from Suffolk, is sticking to his usual schedule of drilling 240ha of winter wheat by the traditional date of 12 October. Despite the impact of the wet weather on soil conditions, Mike plans to lightly cultivate the land before drilling to ensure a fine seed bed. With a focus on continuity and efficiency, he aims to get all crops planted as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Joe Dugdale, a farmer from North Yorkshire, has already planted half of his 320ha of winter wheat earlier than last year. Learning from last season’s yield differences due to late drilling, Joe is determined to get all wheat in the ground by 1 October. Remedial work on the soil, including subsoiling and cultivation, has been essential to prepare the land for planting. With different varieties and seed rates tailored to soil types, Joe is prioritizing early drilling to maximize yields.

As farmers prepare for the winter cereals planting, it is crucial to focus on crop nutrition. Following a wet growing season that depleted soil reserves, addressing deficiencies in nitrogen, sulphur, magnesium, zinc, and manganese is vital for early establishment. Chris Bond, a crop nutrition expert, emphasizes the importance of supplementing these nutrients lost through leaching to give crops the best start. By focusing on soil health and crop nutrition, farmers can set their crops up for a strong start and better defense against weed burdens and disease pressure. Applications can be made after the three-leaf stage to ensure optimal nutrient absorption.

With a mix of tradition, adaptation, and nutritional focus, farmers are gearing up for the drilling campaign with the aim of maximizing yields and ensuring a successful harvest.

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